Securing the Unit after break in

[njrenter0825]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I live in a two family house. The house was broken into. There was no forced entry on the exterior door (they believe the person had a key), but the door to my unit upstairs was kicked in. My landlord replaced the door to my unit with an exterior door and changed the locks on the exterior door. However, she has not replaced the door to the basement which is not secure.

When I moved in, I asked her to secure the basement door and change the locks and she didn't. The door to the basement is not a steel exterior door and could easily be broken into.

My questions:

1. Do I have a right to with hold rent until the repairs are made to the basement door?

2. Is this legal grounds to break my lease if necessary? If I do break my lease, would I be responsible for rent for the remainder of the lease?What is the name of your state?

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I live in a two family house. The house was broken into. There was no forced entry on the exterior door (they believe the person had a key), but the door to my unit upstairs was kicked in. My landlord replaced the door to my unit with an exterior door and changed the locks on the exterior door. However, she has not replaced the door to the basement which is not secure.

When I moved in, I asked her to secure the basement door and change the locks and she didn't. The door to the basement is not a steel exterior door and could easily be broken into.

My questions:

1. Do I have a right to with hold rent until the repairs are made to the basement door?

No

2. Is this legal grounds to break my lease if necessary? If I do break my lease, would I be responsible for rent for the remainder of the lease?What is the name of your state?

No and possibly Yes. The landlord would have to try to re rent the apartment but you would be responsible for rent and any related costs it took to find a new tenant

 

[njrenter0825]

Thank you for your reply.

Do I have any recourse? Does the law provide me with a right to a secure unit?

 

[acmb05]

Thank you for your reply.

Do I have any recourse? Does the law provide me with a right to a secure unit?

If it is the basement how is your unit not secured? Is there a way into your unit thru the basement? What kind of lock is on that door if there is?

 

[njrenter0825]

You can access the entire house through the basement. It is a one family house that was converted to a two family. But, there is also access to the basement from the outside.

The lock on the basement door is not a dead bolt. It is a very flimsy lock, on a very flimsy door. (Possibly the orginal lock/door).


I don't really want to break my lease and I am hoping it doesn't come to that. However, someone did break into my house in broad daylight, so I just want reasonable steps taken to ensure the house is secure.

 

[HuAi]

Go kick the basement door in at night! (not really)

 

[FarmerJ]

Ask your LL in writting for consent to go to hardware store and buy the brackets that hold cut 2 x4s that are slid into place and bolt the brackets in place so the basement door can only be opened from the inside. ( should be about 10 to 13 dollars for the brackets, lag bolts and a 4 ft long) This set up would indeed sure the basement door well enough that any one who did try to break into it would have to make so damn much noise they would not escape being heard by someone. If the LL says yes ask them to sign it and make a copy of it for them self and mail it back to you in the SASE you include. (if they say yes they likely will be pleased that you took the initiative to help prevent a future break in via that door. If they say no It still is not a valid reason to break your lease , instead go and get renters ins and if it occurs again make a claim with them and by all means keep your copy of the letter you sent and call your city to see if there is a local ord requiring a specific security measure for that door. Then you can write to your LL about that in second letter.

 

[BL]

I'm not sure if using brackets and 2X4s are legal per build. code .

Find out first.

 

[njrenter0825]

The problem with locking the basement from the inside only is that it blocks my access.... The baement is joined with the downstairs unit, so although it is directly connected to her unit, it is not to mine. However, the problem is because it is a converted house, and due to the structure, if a burgler were to gain access thru the basement, the security of my unit is comprimised. Sort of hard to explain, but I hope that helps....

My rent includes my use of the basement. Can she block my access to it from the inside?

 

[BL]

The problem with locking the basement from the inside only is that it blocks my access.... The baement is joined with the downstairs unit, so although it is directly connected to her unit, it is not to mine. However, the problem is because it is a converted house, and due to the structure, if a burgler were to gain access thru the basement, the security of my unit is comprimised. Sort of hard to explain, but I hope that helps....

My rent includes my use of the basement. Can she block my access to it from the inside?[/QUOTE]

If you have to access it through the other Apt., yes.

As a poster explained , get renter's ins.

 

[FarmerJ]

Call your city in the morning and just ask them if they have a code that spells out what kind of security measures are to be on a exterior door to a basement that you have use of with your unit and its your only way into the basement. If they require a steel door they will tell you , if they require a deadbolt they will tell you.